D’Aun and I are planning a party and we need a good affordable red wine to serve. Something under $15 a bottle. I always struggle with this because I love great wines and I dislike serving my guests something routine, but we can’t go crazy on the budget.
So a quick visit and consultation with The Wine Steward reaped five wines from three countries and three vintages made from four varietals. Next step was to take them all home and test. I mean taste. A wine party taste test.
First up is the 2010 Lan Rioja Crianza (Spain). Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes, this wine is a solid example of the varietal. I’m usually not crazy about Tempranillo so I had low expectations. It’s better than I expected, but it’s not the wine party taste test winner. Still, you might love it, and as Robert Parker said it’s “a nice everyday wine.” Only $11.99 a bottle.
Next up is the 2012 Palama Arcangelo Salice Salentino from Puglia (Italy). The fruit bursts from this wine; it almost tastes like grape juice at first. But then it mellows and becomes a nice wine, if somewhat sweet. It goes especially well with food because the sweetness is a bit overpowering on its own. It’s worth checking out at $11.99 a bottle. Besides, it comes from a small family owned vineyard, and it’s great to support the little guys.
The most intriguing wine is the 2012 Sean Minor “Four Bears” Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. At first it had a smoky European taste, which I dislike. But 15-minutes later it was a smooth California Cab (with a hint of cinnamon?). The next day it was even smoother, nearly flat, showing it’s youth. I like this wine even if it was different each time I tasted it. Buy it today at $14.99 and in a few years it might look like a bargain.
The 2011 No Curfew Red Wine from California has a great name and label. The first taste is of lush dark fruit followed by a touch of cherry. Curiously, that’s what the back label says. One of the few times a label agreed with my palate. But it has a “not quite ready for primetime” flavor, similar to barrel tasting before a wine is ready. Shows promise, but not quite there yet. Maybe because it’s from a weak vintage? Worth checking out in the future though, especially the 2012 when it arrives. Priced at $14.99.
The last bottle is the 2010 Zinfinity Zinfandel from Sonoma County. This is a blend of Zins from various vineyards, and the result is an impressive wine for this price category ($15.99). Okay, so it’s a buck over my budget, but it’s worth the extra dollar. If you love Zinfandel, you should try this wine and see for yourself. It’s not “great”, but then it’s not crazy expensive like a Turley Zin. Definitely worth trying.
So there you have it — our wine party taste test. Try them yourself and see what you think. I would love to hear your taste test thoughts!
